History

Get to know Pape-Dawson Engineers

1965

1970

1980

1990

2000

1965

1965: The Early Years

In 1965, Mr. Gus Pape and Mr. Gene Dawson, Sr., founded Pape-Dawson Consulting Engineers. The founders’ goal for the new firm was to provide quality services with a high level of integrity to a diversified group of clients. As the only employees, Mr. Pape and Mr. Dawson multitasked as designers, drafters, marketers, and businessmen during the weekdays, while the weekends were designated for surveying activities. Their commitment to Pape-Dawson and the community became a “7-day a week” responsibility.

1970

The 1970s

During the initial 15-year firm history, Gus Pape and Gene Dawson, Sr. had already established a solid reputation within the community for quality service and integrity. The firm grew to approximately 30 employees, and the majority of projects during this time were related to land development for local clients, individual residential lot surveys, and City of San Antonio water and sewer line extension projects. Pape-Dawson Consulting Engineers became incorporated in 1970 as Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc. Then, in 1975 Pape-Dawson opened a new building in San Antonio followed by a second building in 1978.

1980

The 1980s

For Pape-Dawson, the firm’s role in the $440 million San Antonio Wastewater Improvement Program in addition to the planning and engineering of the Dominion development provided the experience and qualifications to become a candidate for projects like Sea World, La Cantera, Fiesta Texas, and Westover Hills. Pape-Dawson also designed multiple corporate facility expansion projects, including Valero, Citicorp, USAA, Capital Group, Ultramar Diamond Shamrock, World Savings and Loan, WorldCom, Clear Channel Communications, Chase Bank, and Harcourt Brace.

Pape-Dawson had been actively growing for almost 20 years when an announcement was made that one of the founders, Mr. Pape, was retiring. At the age of 61, in 1984, Mr. Pape retired from Pape-Dawson Engineers.

1990

The 1990s

Pape-Dawson’s corporate culture changed in the 90s as the result of working with top-tier, nationally recognized clients. In 1997, Gene Dawson, Jr., P.E., and Sam Dawson, P.E. assumed their roles and current positions as President and Chief Executive Officer, respectively.

In an effort to broaden the vision of the company, leadership began more aggressively pursuing opportunities in the transportation realm in the early 1990s. Pape-Dawson provided the planning and engineering for Wurzbach Parkway and was part of a design team to prepare plans for the complex Loop 410/US 281 interchange. Today, Pape-Dawson’s transportation group has grown to more than 35 people.

2000

The 2000s

In 2005, Pape-Dawson merged with the Austin firm Huffcut and Associates, Inc., and thereby established its Austin office. In 2007, the firm expanded its San Antonio operation with the acquisition of Overby Descamps Engineers. Pape-Dawson further expanded its geographic service area by establishing an office in Houston in 2009, an office in Fort Worth in 2013, and an office in Dallas in 2014.

The core values Pape-Dawson was founded on continue today as Pape-Dawson’s owners and employees remain uncompromised in our dedication to maintain high integrity and competence, develop solutions in the best interest of our clients and the public, support and develop our employees, and positively contribute to the community.

From a staff of two more than 50 years ago, Pape-Dawson has grown into one of the largest and most respected engineering firms in Texas. We feel privileged to be a part of numerous landmark projects across the state; it is an honor to touch the everyday lives of Texans through the work we do.